Life Among the Dead (Book 4): The End Read Online Free Page B

that may be left behind, using one of the dead man’s socks as a glove to prevent leaving any prints. He’s not thinking since his prints are already all over the room from his previous visit, among other traces of evidence. The drawers are empty, the bathroom is clear. He needs to go to the lobby to snag a luggage cart without running into the guy’s men or looking too suspicious. He needs to take everything out of the hotel to give the illusion the mobster just took off in the night. “Simple.”

7
     
    The shower cuts out. Killer B waits outside the bathroom with Rocky’s bottle. She wants to turn in for the night, but won’t be able to sleep until she knows what happened between her friend and her ex.
    Steam spills from the bathroom like a sauna, Rocky always takes especially hot showers after a conquest. She dries herself in the room, starting with her short brown hair and working down her glistening body. “Oh, KB, you’re awesome!” she says joyfully taking the vodka. “I was just starting to sober up.”
    Killer B watches her Captain head to the beds, just dropping her towel on the floor and leaving wet foot prints behind her. She forgoes the use of a robe to conceal her wiry build. Curiosity forces the question, “What did Remy want?”
    “To fuck me,” Rocky answers. “More or less.”
    Nothing else is shared, Killer B knows there’s more to it than that. She waits knowing her friend will tip her hand eventually.
    Rocky cracks open the bottle and sips from it, the burn of the spirits on her tongue doesn’t even phase her as she lays on her bed and flips though the television channels. She’s looking for footage from tonight’s match on the upper sports networks.
    “Hey, I think I might let you take the star in Waterloo,” Rocky says meaning Killer B will be the lead Jammer. “Maxine can Pivot.”
    “You don’t want to play in the championship?”
    “I’m tired. Getting too old for it,” Rocky explains unconvincingly. “Don’t worry, you’ll be great.”
    Before Killer B can delve deeper into the decision Rocky speaks. “While we’re there, we can drive past you-know-who’s house,” the words are meant to entice Killer B into acceptance, like bargaining with a child.
    “This is just out of the blue, since when do you ever want to be benched? What did he say?”
    “Nothing.” The curt response is delivered intently to cease the subject. “Do you want to creepy stalk Kelly Peel, or not?”
    The pop star is Killer B’s idol, when she learned that the championship was being held in her hometown her first impulse was to ask if they could see her home. “Yes, but…”
    “Then drop it,” Rocky instructs. “Even with me off the track we’re going to win. You will lead the charge. Max will back you up. You can see that bitch’s home. Then, we will all head back to Bedlam, Mass reaping the rewards and training for next year. Sound good?”
    Killer B turns off lights and crawls into bed. She doesn’t have to know all the details of the conversation to know what it all boiled down to, the league doesn’t want Rocky to play anymore. Man’s Ruin still has the advantage over the other teams with her coaching from the sidelines and all their combined experience, what troubles Killer B now is how her friend will handle it. Rocky lives and breathes the game, brawling keeps her alive. If she can’t derby, how will she survive?

8
     
    Fortunately for Gil Price the dead man had left his room key on the nightstand, the idea that he may need to unpack the suitcase had him a bit alarmed. He needs to slip down to the lobby to retrieve a cart. After splashing some cold water on his face, as casual as he can, he ventures down the hall and to the elevators.
    He moves through the lobby, consciously trying to act as if he knows exactly what he’s doing, like he belongs . It’s after eleven, no guest would need a cart at this hour , his brain screams at him as he wraps his hand around the thick